PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh's three mayoral candidates squared off in their final debate on Thursday and WTAE's news exchange partners at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported us one of the biggest issues addressed in the debate was the police force.

Independent candidate Kevin Acklin said he plans to add 200 officers to the city's police force.

Fellow independent Franco "Dok" Harris said he wants to add 80 to 90 additional officers.

Pittsburgh's current mayor Luke Ravenstahl says the city can't afford either plan, saying 200 hundred new officers would cost an additional $17 million.

The city currently has around 900 police officers, which costs $68 million, the Trib reported.

Harris said investing in public safety was "the only" way to maintain neighborhood integrity.

Acklin said that more police should be a priority because citizens are feeling unsafe and the murder rate is up.

During the debate Ravenstahl pointed out he attends dozens of community meetings each month and has been at the helm of neighborhood improvement initiatives.

For more information and biographies about the candidates, visit WTAE's Mayoral Debate page.

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